Boschendal awarded Conservation Champion status!

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Boschendal has been awarded Conservation Champion status by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) for its commitment to conservation, preservation, and restoration of the natural environment on its estate.

Boschendal has received the special international recognition for its passion for biodiversity conservation and sustainable farming. It has met stringent conservation criteria, approached environmental concerns holistically, and compiled a comprehensive environmental management plan for continuous improvement.

Boschendal Senior Farm Manager Andre Lambrechts said about the Conservation Champion status which the farm has been awarded: ‘Making a positive impact on the environment, on the well-being of our community and on the lives of our guests is at the core of what we believe at Boschendal. We are delighted that we now have Conservation Champion status – it underscores our continuing commitment to ethical and integrated agriculture and the conservation of biodiversity’.

Boschendal falls within the Cape Floral Kingdom, which is increasingly threatened by agriculture, urban development, and invasive alien species. ‘Our sustainability drive therefore focuses on biological farming practices that enrich the soil and promote a habitat of biodiversity both in the vineyards and surrounding vegetation’, added Lambrechts.

The wine estate is a member of the WWF Biodiversity and Wine Initiative. A major focus of Boschendal is the conservation of 1000 ha of land, clearing invasive alien vegetation, and protecting indigenous trees. Sustainable farming practices include ‘raising free-range animals to reduce food miles and contribute to soil productivity, the use of cover crops in the vineyards to enrich the soil, inhibit weed growth and preserve soil moisture, and water saving strategies such as conservation-efficient irrigation systems for vineyards and fruit trees‘. Alternative sources of energy are being investigated.

‘We will continue our focus on environmental responsibility and innovation, to ensure we leave a legacy for future generations‘, concluded Lambrechts.

Source: Media Release received from Atmosphere Communications